NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers Join Kevin Durant Trade Rumors Amid Offseason Buzz
As NBA offseason speculation ramps up, the Los Angeles Clippers have quietly entered the Kevin Durant trade conversation, shifting focus from previous rumors linking them to Celtics guard Jrue Holiday.
According to Hardwood Paroxysm, while almost every team in the league has made exploratory calls to the Phoenix Suns regarding Durant, the Clippers are one of the few whose interest has leaked publicly. However, insiders caution that these conversations may be more due diligence than active negotiation.
Clippers Pivoting Away from Jrue Holiday
Recent chatter suggested the Clippers were targeting Jrue Holiday, who was instrumental in the Celtics’ 2024 championship run. But as Law Murray noted on a podcast, and other league sources have echoed, L.A.’s interest in Holiday has been “overstated.”
Instead, the franchise appears to be setting its sights higher—Durant-level high. While there's no concrete deal in the works, the Clippers are reportedly monitoring Durant’s situation along with the rest of the league.
“They are looking for bigger fish to fry,” a source said, “though I think a deal ultimately is unlikely.”
Challenges for a Clippers-Suns KD Deal
Even if there is mutual interest, a trade between the Clippers and Suns would be difficult to pull off. Here’s why:
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Draft Capital: The Clippers only own the No. 30 overall pick in the upcoming draft, offering minimal appeal for a Suns team potentially looking to retool with youth.
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Roster Makeup: L.A.'s trade chips are primarily veteran players (e.g., Norman Powell, Terance Mann, Ivica Zubac), rather than high-upside prospects or multiple first-round picks.
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Salary Matching: Durant’s large contract ($49.9 million for 2025–26) requires significant outgoing salary, likely involving Paul George or a multi-player package—both logistically and politically tricky.
Durant’s Market and Suns’ Leverage
Despite being 36 years old, Kevin Durant remains one of the most productive players in the NBA, averaging:
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26.6 PPG
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6.0 RPG
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4.2 APG
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Shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from deep
Given those numbers and his championship pedigree, the Suns are fielding widespread interest—from the Spurs, Knicks, and potentially the Mavericks. Phoenix still holds the upper hand due to Durant’s ongoing contract, but is reportedly open to offers in light of its disappointing 2024–25 season and the desire to upgrade at center.
What Would the Clippers Offer?
If the Clippers were to make a real push for Durant, here’s what a package could look like:
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Norman Powell
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Terance Mann
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Ivica Zubac or Amir Coffey
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2029 first-round pick (or pick swaps)
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No. 30 overall pick in 2025
That package may fall short of what teams like the Spurs (with the No. 2 pick), Knicks (Karl-Anthony Towns), or Mavericks (Cooper Flagg rights) can offer, but L.A. could pitch Phoenix on ready-made veterans to stay competitive without a full rebuild.
Outlook: A Long Shot, But Not Impossible
While a Clippers-Durant deal is unlikely at this stage, it reflects a growing trend—the Suns are actively listening, and Durant is not untouchable. If Phoenix decides to prioritize experience over youth in a trade, the Clippers could at least stay in the conversation.
Still, they’d likely need a third team to facilitate a blockbuster, or they’d have to part with Paul George, whose own future in L.A. is uncertain due to contract talks and age-related concerns.
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